Hometown Christmas draws a huge crowd in JC

Escorted by Sheila Clendenin, right, Santa greets the crowd gathered to get a photo with him during the Hometown Christmas event in Johnston City. Clendenin, owner of Shooting Star Photography, has sponsored this part of the event every year and said she's "in as long as it goes."Holly Kee photo

Rev. Stephen Hudspath, left, of the First United Methodist Church enlisted the help of family and friends to stage a live nativity complete with donkeys and lambs.Holly Kee photo

Members of the Johnston City Fire Department give away free hot dogs and hot chocolate during the Hometown Christmas.Holly Kee photo

Shirley Manier, right, and Carol Herzog gave away over 500 homemade cookies during Saturday's Hometown Christmas in Johnston City. Manier has done the cookies every year since the elebration began in 2011. See more photos on page 7.Holly Kee photo

Santa arrives with a little help from the JC Fire Department for the Hometown Christmas celebration, to a cheering crowd waiting for a chance to meet him in person.Holly Kee photo

Mrs. Claus (aka Opal Avery) welcomes Alexis Chabera from Herrin, who made the trip to Johnston City for the Hometown Christmas event on Saturday.Holly Kee photo

The Grinch greets several youngsters who were waiting in line to visit Santa on Saturday at Johnston Cityi's Hometown Christmas celebration.Holly Kee photo

Volunteers from the Manna Mission were accepting donations for the food pantry that serves local families year-round.Holly Kee photo

City Clerk Jade West, one of the organizers of the JC Hometown Christmas celebration, was decked out in holiday attire and all smiles as she roamed through a crowd that swelled to over 700 on Saturday.Holly Kee photo

Employees of Banterra Bank man a table where kids can create their own Christmas ornament.Holly Kee photo

BY HOLLY KEEhkee@localsouthernnews.com

Posted on 11/27/2018, 2:12 PM

JOHNSTON CITY -- Over 700 people turned out in the near-perfect November weather Saturday afternoon for the 8th Annual Hometown Christmas in downtown Johnston City.

The event includes food, drinks, entertainment, a live nativity, raffles, and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and even the Grinch.

"This is important to us because it's the only event that is completely free to the community," said City Clerk Jade West. "It's a way to give back and see the community come together and everyone have a good time."

This is the second year the city has sponsored the event, but it actually began in 2011 when then-23-year-old local businessman Anthony Spiller saw a need.

"Anthony was substitute teaching and seeing firsthand some of the financial hardships families were facing and the sadness they were enduring, especially during the holidays," said Spiller's mom, Tina Lindsey, who is the city treasurer.

Spiller asked the city for permission to develop the Hometown Christmas, funded, promoted, and worked by him and a small handful of volunteers.

After six years at the helm of the event that grew each year, Spiller's business obligations required him to step down and turn the event over to someone else.

"After working on this for two years, I think I can speak for all of us that have participated," said Lindsey. "It's physically and mentally exhausting."

She said the efforts are worth it, though.

"For three hours, no one there has a care in the world," she said. "Everyone just mingles, meets Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, decorates cookies and ornaments, eats popcorn, hot dogs, cotton candy and does many other things all at no cost."

One of those things includes pictures with Santa, donated by Sheila Clendenin, owner of Shooting Star Photography. Everyone gets a free photo with the jolly man with a suggested donation of a food item to the Manna Mission that serves local families throughout the year.

Saturday's line stretched for nearly two city blocks as little ones waited for a chance to sit on Santa's lap.

Lindsey said she is proud to be a part of the team that carries on the tradition initiated by her son.

"At the age of 23, Anthony was wise beyond his years," she said. "He understood the true meaning and many lives have been touched because he acted on an idea."

Both Lindsey and West plan to continue the event.

"We hope to build and make it bigger and better every year for our little town," said Lindsey.